Hot Water Tank Base Trough for Self-Centering Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water tank assembly methods are complex and costly, requiring precise alignment of the container within the storage housing and necessitating additional support structures, which complicates installation and can lead to inefficient insulation.
Innovation Solution
A base with a centered trough for the container, which simplifies alignment and eliminates the need for separate support structures, ensuring uniform insulation thickness and stability through a bead contact system, and optionally includes features for unevenness compensation and easy transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment methods are used to position the container in the storage housing, then the insulation thickness can be uniform, but the assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is pre-formed as an integral part of the base during base manufacturing, rather than being added as a separate alignment component. This preliminary action embeds the positioning function directly into the base structure, eliminating the need for separate alignment devices and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining precise container positioning and uniform insulation thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is merged with the base structure by forming the trough as an integral part of the base. This combination eliminates the need for separate alignment components and simplifies the overall assembly process while ensuring precise container positioning and uniform insulation
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate support structures like feet or stand rings are used to prevent container tipping, then stability is achieved, but the number of components and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged with the base structure by forming the trough as an integral part of the base. This combination eliminates the need for separate support structures like feet or stand rings, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly while maintaining container stability through the trough's geometric constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The base with the integrated trough performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, ensures precise container positioning through the trough geometry, and prevents container tipping. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support devices and reduces overall assembly complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of the container with the floor center is required, then precise positioning is achieved, but the assembly time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is pre-formed in the base with its center aligned to the base center during base manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual alignment operations during assembly, as the container naturally centers itself when placed in the trough, reducing assembly time and labor costs while maintaining precise centering
Solution Approach 2:
The container automatically centers itself within the storage housing by being placed in the pre-formed trough. This self-centering mechanism eliminates the need for manual alignment operations, reducing assembly time and labor requirements while ensuring precise container positioning and uniform insulation thickness
Data Source
Figure 1a~2a
Figure 2b~2d
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The bottom (23) has a trough (231) for receiving a container (10). The trough is surrounded by a lip (232) arranged at a contact surface (233) contacting with the container. Radius of the trough is less than that of the container. The lip is provided with a recess (234) and an aperture for arranging a stand (30) or a roller. A dome is arranged in a region of the trough for covering an outlet connecting piece of the container. Second aperture is arranged in a region of the trough for feeding the outlet connecting piece of the container.